Episode 4995

Extended Summary

The Surf Club Christmas party proves memorable in more ways than one. A drunk Miles has gone missing and while at different times: Leah, Romeo and Alf go looking for him – his disappearance remains a mystery. Colleen, tipsy, is at turns: morbid and full of self loathing for telling people about Miles and Leah kissing, and then festive. She somehow still manages to put some life into the party by leading the singing, albeit badly, of some Christmas carols.

Martha, Gina and Xavier are all still reeling from Hugo’s earlier announcement that he’s leaving town and are untouched by the festivities. Martha, seeking solitude, heads home early. Gina does some soul searching, while Xavier is troubled by barking dogs and some unwanted flashes of memory from the day he nearly drowned. As Xavier’s memory slowly starts to come back he becomes increasing concerned that Hugo is in danger. This is amplified when he learns that Derrick has escaped from police custody. When Xavier finally recalls that the argument Derrick and Hugo were having concerned a container on the wharf, Xavier decides he has to immediately go to the closest container terminal – Port Heron up the coast. A very reluctant Alf is co-opted into driving Xavier and Romeo up there.

Hugo, having said his sad goodbyes at the Christmas party drives off, but doesn’t get far before he’s confronted by Suzy. She tells Hugo that she’s here to make sure he returns to Indonesia with her the following day. Hugo says that’s his plan, but Suzy is sceptical and tells him that she’s taken out insurance. If Hugo tries to double cross her – then it’s Martha who will pay the price. She drives off leaving Hugo by the roadside. Hugo desperately tries to call Martha, but she’s turned off her phone and Hugo, petrified, takes off to make sure Martha is warned and safe. Suzy however beats Hugo home and kidnaps Martha. Suzy clearly means business and Martha’s life is on the line.

Charlie is furious when Derrick somehow escapes from custody, but she’s somewhat mollified when the Intelligence services say they think they have cracked the code on the paper found in Bambang’s toy. Firstly they reveal that a “container 17” is mentioned and due to the station being short staffed, Charlie takes off to Port Heron to investigate. Once there, Charlie finds the container, but is initially thwarted from investigating it by the arrival of someone else at the site.

When Avary calls with the news that State Intelligence rang with a phone number that they have deciphered, Charlie realises she is close to solving the people smuggling case and unmasking the mastermind behind it. Charlie eventually manages to open the container and is shocked by her discovery of what’s inside. There are a number of emaciated refugees, but her shock at seeing them is nothing compared to the surprise she gets when the mastermind behind the scheme turns up and his identity is revealed. Summer Bay may never be the same again.